Hyderabad: GHMC has sped up the widening of two major roads in the Shamshabad and Rajendranagar areas, a project pending for years. It has started land acquisition and issued notifications for 23,496 square yards of land in Gollapalli and Kismatpur. The aim is to reduce traffic congestion in the suburbs and improve connectivity to the outer areas.
The first road falls under Corridor No. 15. GHMC will widen it to 100 feet from the Gollapalli NH-40 junction in Shamshabad mandal to Pedda Golkonda via the ORR service road. It will acquire 10,387 square yards for 59 properties on the left side of this route. These include vacant lots, commercial buildings, sheds and houses.
Work is also set to begin on Corridor No. 19 in Rajendranagar mandal. GHMC will widen a 100-foot road from the ORR service road to Chevella Road via Bandlaguda Jagir and Kismatpur. It will acquire 13,108 square yards on this route. The affected properties include commercial complexes, hospitals, petrol pumps, vacant lots and multi-storey buildings.
GHMC prepared proposals to expand these roads four years ago, but the work did not move ahead for some reason. Large-scale construction has since come up in these areas. Traffic congestion has grown, and locals face difficulties. The recent land acquisition notifications have revived hopes for the expansion.
Residential and commercial activity keeps rising in the suburbs. The previous BRS government issued a decree to widen the roads. Builders have since put up projects of 10 to 40 and even 50 floors, citing the master plan for the expansion. Traffic grows with the number of residents, and problems persist because the roads remain unwidened.
Officials say the widening will make it easier to travel from the ORR to key areas of the city. It will also give commuters alternative routes. Once acquisition ends and the roads come up, travel time may fall and connectivity to surrounding colonies may improve.
Property owners get 60 days to file objections
GHMC land acquisition officials have asked property owners to submit their objections within 60 days, as the notification states. Landowners, affected residents and anyone with objections or compensation claims must apply in writing to the Land Acquisition Special Collector’s Office at the GHMC Head Office. Land maps and plans are available for inspection at the office.
The objection process for Gollapalli Road will continue. Kismatpur Road has a three-month time limit. The widening work will start after GHMC acquires the properties.